Barry Callebaut Headquarters: A Sensory Journey in Workplace Design

Evolution Design's Award-Winning Office Space Merges Chocolate Artistry with Sustainable Innovation

The project brief was to create a strong connection to the culture of Barry Callebaut and its confectionary products. Evolution Design responded with a design that uses different types of wood and fabrics, natural materials and a combination of earthy colours to reflect the ethos of sustainability, innovation and sensory pleasure of Barry Callebaut.

One of the unique features of the office is its integrated chocolate academy. This professionally equipped kitchen, where innovation and inspiration take place behind glazed walls, is located in the centre of the office, enabling staff and visitors to watch the chocolatiers creating new products. The sleek academy kitchen is set against an earthy floor finish and organically shaped pendant lights in the reception, adding warmth to the design.

In alignment with the sustainability strategy of Barry Callebaut, environmentally friendly, certified, upcycled, and natural materials were used in the design. Textures of wood, natural materials, like the safflower wallpaper, cork and moss, create sensory experiences in both the hubs and the workspaces. Oxygen generating plants in combination with sensors deliver a healthy and productive work environment.

The project, which started in April 2020 and was finished in August 2021, was planned in the early stages of the global pandemic. This posed many difficult questions and unknowns. The architects carried out a number of in-depth workshops and surveys with the client and users, in order to find out what would be the main attraction points for employees to return to the office post pandemic. The research resulted in a workplace concept that creates an agile and attractive place to live and work and focuses on stimulating the physical collaboration and team spirit.

Despite the challenges of planning a workplace fit for new work and employee needs post pandemic, and integrating the chocolate academy in a regular office building, the design team was able to respond to the needs of the client. The result is a 3800 square meter office space that not only meets the strict requirements for room temperatures, ventilation capacity and equipment placement, but also creates a sense of a journey through the various zones.

Barry Callebaut's new headquarters is a testament to Evolution Design's commitment to creating spaces that are not only functional and sustainable, but also provide a sensory experience that reflects the ethos of the company. The project was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2022, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.